NEW DELHI, JUNE 2: India will not be participating in the upcoming G7 Summit, scheduled for June 15 to 17 in Canada, as it has not received an official invitation, according to government sources. The development marks the first time in six years that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be absent from the high-level gathering.
“There has been no indication of an invitation or any preparatory visits typically associated with such participation,” an official familiar with the matter said.
In recent years, PM Modi had attended the summit as a guest at the invitation of the host country—a privilege extended at the discretion of the host nation, which also sets the agenda and tone of the discussions. This year’s host, Canada, has chosen not to invite India, signaling a break in diplomatic custom.
The timing of India’s absence is significant. Relations between India and Canada have remained tense since June 2023, when Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau publicly accused India of involvement in the killing of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia. India strongly rejected the allegation, calling it “baseless” and politically motivated.
Commenting on the summit last month, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal had stated that there was “no information” regarding the Prime Minister’s travel plans to Canada, reinforcing speculation of a non-invitation.
The G7, an informal bloc of the world’s most advanced economies—including the United States, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and Canada—traditionally extends guest invitations to key global partners. Also present are representatives from the European Union, International Monetary Fund, World Bank, and the United Nations.
While India’s absence from this year’s summit does not preclude future participation, it comes at a moment of diplomatic chill that observers say reflects broader shifts in bilateral ties.
